From: Biodun Oyeleye
Elders of Ilorin have cautioned first republic Information Minister, Chief Edwin Clark against further attack on their son and former governor of the north-central state, Senator Bukola Saraki.
Addressing a packed news conference on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, the elders, under the aegis of Ilorin Elders Forum (IEF) condemned what they described as Clark’s recent political outbursts against Saraki following the defection by the former governor, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The forum minced no words in warning Clark, who recently played host to some anti-Saraki group at his Abuja home, to be ready for real verbal war if he continues to play the role of an interloper in the political activities of the state.
Some members of the PDP were with Clark over the weekend during which the elder statesman took time to dismiss the political relevance and decisions of Saraki whom his followers accept as the political leader of the state.
Part of the statement which was read by the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Woru Mohammed reads: “We watched with dismay the silly outburst of Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark directed towards our able leader during his session with so-called disgruntled Kwara politicians who paid him a solidarity visit. Such unpolished statements and smearing utterances are least expected from a politician of that status.
“It is derailing for Clark, the leader of the Niger Delta people to just open his mouth to condemn an innocent statesman because he wants to score a cheap point. When there is a misunderstanding between two parties, it is ideal for a third party to intervene, pacify both sides and reconcile their differences but Clark has decided to toe a path of dishonour by taking side and judging one party in absential.”
The forum said Saraki played significant roles in the electoral success of President Goodluck Jonathan when he, as then chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, joined others to untie the political knot that then preceded the inauguration of Joanthan as President. He was also said to have played the same role in the eventual election of the President when he contested for the office.
The elders expressed support for Saraki’s decision to leave the PDP saying that party had become like a vehicle being driven by a dangerous driver who has no regard to safety rules or the complaints of the passengers. “It is apparent that this was the right step taken by those that abandoned the drifting PDP to APC; their action is therefore wise and commendable”, the elders said, noting further that “it has become apparent that the problems that engulfed the PDP is traceable to lack of internal democracy, high handedness and arrogance by the high command of the party. Unfortunately, rather than playing the role of peace maker, Clark also continues to fuel the crisis through his usual unguided utterances.”
They said further: “All the bad name Clark called Saraki will not stop Kwarans from supporting him because this is the man that has improved the well-being of Kwarans in his eight years of governance and it is high time Chief Clark stop all these campaigns of calumny against Saraki.
“All Mogajis, Alanguas, sons and daughters of Ilorin both at home and abroad are solidly behind Saraki because he is a true son of Ilorin. If election is contested for hundred times in Kwara state, Senator Bukola Saraki and his team will win with a landslide victory and this is not the same for Chief Clark in Bayelsa where he claimed to be a political leader.”
